Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-07-08
REPORT OF TERRITORIAL SUN
DAY SCHOOL CONVENTION
AT WATERTQWN.

Co., GREETING:
Having attended the Territorial Con-
ventlon as your delegate, submit the
following:
The convention was called to order
Tuesday evening by Rev. S. G. Updyke,
president of the Coddington County
sunday School Association. Prayer by
Rev. Springer, of Clark, (Meth.) A plea
SAINT address of welcome was given by
Rev. G. II. Parker, Baptist pastor of
Watertown, and fittingly responded to
by Rev. Hubbard, of Chamberlain,
Congo, Presiding Elder Traveller,
(Meth), and Miss Swartz, Supt. of
evangelistlc work of Oak. w. q. Il. u.
Rev. w. S. Bell, who was present at the
organization OF the Association, IL
years ago, and has attended every ses-
sion since, was called out and made
brief Impractical remarks. Rev Hodge
man OF the First Presbyterian Church
OF Rochester, N. Y, was introduced to
the Convention. He said he was pleas
ed with the appearance of Dakota. and
her people. Said the East were looking
to the young and prosperous West, now
IN its formative period with much So
licitude, but hoped and believed that it
would start Alright. Mr.. D. p. Ward, of
Sioux Falls, secretary of the Associa-
ton reported the work in a good and
rapidly growing condition, all over the
territory, and especially in the south
ern part. He displayed large map of
the territory, 3x10 feet, showing by
large gilt stars, County Associations,
and by small red ones, Local Sunday
Schools. He also showed small map,
2x2 feet, representing the work in 1871
On this small map were 65 stars. To-
day the large new map is allowed 1000
stars, representing the Sunday schools
OF Dakota, and thus showing the in
crease in the last 10 years. Theseschools
contain 10000 members. He said that,
while the population had increased 600
per cent, the Sunday schools had in
creased 1900 per cent. in the last ten
years. He said that our map, as yet,
poorly represented the work, as he had
been unable to learn the location of but
comparatively few of the schools, and
if any OF the delegates present knew
the location of the schools in their
county, he would be glad to have them
place the stars upon the map. Thus
your secretary had the pleasureof plac.
ing 30 stars on Jerauld county, almost
entirely covering it up and making us,
so far as heard from, the banner county
for Sunday schools. This fact, together
with always having borne the banner
for prohibition, is not a bad reputation
to have, among strangers. 1t speaks
well for us, and many there were, who
asked, where is your little Jerauld
county that is upright? "Let us hold
fast that to which we have attained"
Mr.. Ward had just returned from the
International Convention in Chicago
where he displayed our maps, and said
they attracted more attention than any
others there, and that, in proportion to
the country, Dakota was ahead. That
after his report, he was besieged with
hand shakers till his hand ached. He
mentioned as pleasant incident, that
they met and were introduced to the
author Of our national hymn, "Ameri~
ca. A pleasant old man by the name
Of S. T. Smith. Mr.. Ward said.that not
withstanding the great number Of
schools reported, the statistics showed
that there are 100000 Of children in
the q. S. who do not attend Sunday
school. Still we must work.
$ The treasurer, Mr.. Diggs, of Mill
bank was not present and the report on
! finance showed the association to be in
debt $4,000, for the map and work Of
the secretary. This amount was asked
for the second evening and was prompt
lily met by the audience, and several
dollars over, the collection amounting
to S72.22; S25 of this was sent from one
school in Aberdeen.
1t was judged that the time had come
| when some man should give his time
| to the territorial work and receive a
! salary. Accordingly Mr.. d. 2. Ward,
secretary, was elected general supt and
also statistical secretary, and his salary
fixed at $1,000 or in that proportion, &C
cording to the time he spends. AS a
basis for this salary, SIS pledges were
called for the last evening. The coun-
ties responded handsomely and $4,000
was pledged in a few minutes. This
was doing well for the number Of coun-
ties represented, which was Il, by Il
delegates, this number will not appear
50 small when we consider the distance
that many from distant counties would
have to travel, and the expense attend
ant upon such a trip. The various evan
gelical denominations were represent
ed both on programme and bydelegates.
Telegrams of greeting and brotherly